Friday night saw Carnforths first game of the season as they travelled North to face a strong Kendal XV littered with youth and experience - a team full of quality throughout. For Carnforth following a late spate of cry offs we were only able to field a bare 15 - a slight disappointment considering we had 29 ten days ago. But no fault with work committments for many.
For those 15 that donned the green and black shirt - every credit to each player - heads could have gone down early in the game when it looked like Kendal would run away with the game and produce a cricket score under the lights at the excellent new venue in Kendal.
But Carnforth as ever stuck to their task and more than matched their illustrious counterparts. The game was a free flowing affair with both teams looking to run with the ball at every chance they got which made for a great spectacle to watch for the decent crowd on the sidelines.
Kendal opened the scoring with an interception followed by a second try - 12 nil down and staring at a heavy defeat. Carnforth hit back and started to plenty of the ball, Nick Hamer, Brad Wheatman, skipper Dan Blenkharn, Joe Harrison and Sam Tomlinson all making breaks through the middle before a try came our way. James Skitt and Dave Robinson (back in a Carnforth shirt for the first time in 12 years) linked up before Jason Short and Hamer allowed Wheatman to power through for a try, scrum half Donald Haddow slotted the two.
A 3rd Kendal try gave the hosts a 19 - 7 first interval lead. Carnforth started the 2nd period well, Adam Seaton, Robin Whittaker and Shaun Hodgson getting through a lot of hard graft. Wheatman and Jason Waterhouse both made breaks, Jamie Hardy battled well down the wing before Hamer was able to cut through for a try, Haddow converting. Kendal went back but superb defensive work from Hardy and Sam Edmondson kept the score to within 7. This was soon levelled when from nowhere Wheatman was able to thrash through the defence before taking the full back over the line to register a 2nd try (and a jug dodge took place) - Haddow converted to level the scores.
Kendals bench was strong and they used this well (we thank them for loaning us players when required) and their bench told with a trio of tries to take the game away from Carnforth.
But the visitors refused to lie down and finished well - Blenkharn, Tomlinson and Harrison all in the mix with a Kendal loanee grabbing one try and a well worked move saw Edmondson power over in the corner for the final score.
41 - 31 to Kendal, some new friends made along the way, all in all a great night for both clubs. Games like this now show that is was the correct decision to keep Carnforth Rugby Club on the rugby map - our next fixture is away at Furness in November - other fixtures are being looked at and more details will follow.
Thanks to Garry Holmes as match referee.
Thanks to all at Kendal for the game and thanks to the Carnforth players and supporters for their attendance.